Ginger in pregnancy: here's how it can help expectant mothers
It is legitimate to ask whether ginger in pregnancy is bad for you, but we want to immediately dispel a myth by saying that in reality ginger is good for health, even for that of expectant mothers. The classic ginger and lemon herbal tea, therefore, is a ritual that you can continue even when you discover that you are pregnant! Before moving on, there is a video for you with an overview of foods to watch out for when you discover that you are pregnant.
Ginger in pregnancy: what there is to know
Ginger is a plant or it would be better to say a root, with oriental origins, but which is now consumed all over the world. The scientific name is Zingiber Officinale Roscoe, a bulb with a shape similar to that of a potato, to be bought at the supermarket or from greengrocers, and to be eaten grated or cut into very thin slices.
It has a very particular flavor, with a slightly spicy aftertaste, and can be combined with any dish, both sweet and salty. The most common use, as already mentioned, is to prepare herbal teas, by boiling the water and infusing thin slices cut from the bulb: after letting it rest for a few minutes, just add the lemon juice and enjoy the drink.
But among the many uses of ginger in cooking, there is also that of grating it and adding it to flavor the meat, in the preparation phase, or smoothies; in short, it is a food that goes well with everything.
If you are pregnant, a ginger-based herbal tea a day will be good for the whole body.
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Ginger in pregnancy as a remedy for nausea
Ginger, or the root found underground, is a perennial herbaceous plant with digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, widely used in the past as an anti-nausea remedy during pregnancy.
Some studies have succeeded in demonstrating the efficacy of ginger from a scientific point of view and in particular, it has emerged that ginger and vitamin B6 both have an anti-nausea effect which is very useful for women who discover that they are pregnant.
Consuming ginger during pregnancy, however, is not new at all, because in the East, this spice was already given to pregnant women, with an amazing effect of calming nausea, abdominal discomfort, heartburn and any inflammation.
Ginger for pregnant women is a real medicine, it works as an anti-inflammatory, has antibacterial properties, and is a valid ally against colds and flu.
Even today, the benefits of ginger are many and very useful for treating seasonal ailments.
Adding a little ginger to dishes during pregnancy is also useful to combat any pain such as sudden stabbing in the limbs or abdomen: this root is able to relieve pain, without having to resort to drugs, always not recommended for pregnant women. .
Drinking a ginger tea in the evening, before going to sleep, will avoid discomfort such as the gastroesophageal reflux typical of pregnancy and also the morning sickness that most pregnant women suffer from.
Ginger in pregnancy: benefits
During pregnancy, a very high percentage of women suffer from nausea and vomiting, which varies from person to person, but usually occurs during the first three months. These disorders resolve on their own when the mother enters the fourth month, but a small percentage of pregnant women denotes a persistence of symptoms until the twentieth week of gestation, so ginger can prove to be a useful ally for mild or moderate forms.
Even if the mother suffers from hyperemesis gravidarum, a rare disorder associated with dehydration, abnormal blood test results, and weight loss greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy weight, ginger can have beneficial effects. In these cases, however, it is always better to contact your doctor to be more confident about what to do.
Here is a recap on the benefits of ginger in pregnancy. Ginger helps fight:
- nausea in pregnancy
- constipation in pregnancy
- digestive problems
- flu symptoms such as sore throat, cold and cough in pregnancy.
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How to take ginger when pregnant?
Ginger is commercially available not only as a fresh root, but also in the form of powder, extract, herbal tea, tablets, etc. to condiments up to popsicles or ice creams.
However, the most suitable formulation remains the one designed specifically for pregnancy: tablets and chewing gum to buy at the pharmacy. In this way you can rest assured that the quality and traceability controls of the product are really effective.
By choosing to take ginger already portioned, it is easier to quantify the doses taken during the day, which should never exceed 1000 mg per day.
Ginger in pregnancy: contraindications
As with everything, even for ginger in pregnancy, the principle of "do not overdo it" applies. A woman who is not pregnant can even consume several ginger teas a day, because it helps a lot in losing weight, thanks to its draining properties.
If, on the other hand, it has been discovered that you are pregnant, you should try to reduce the daily doses of ginger. An herbal tea is good for you every now and then, but no exaggeration, because this spice contains a molecule of gingerol which, if taken in large quantities, can create genetic problems for the fetus.
In general, studies on ginger in pregnancy have shown the absence of specific contraindications related to this food.
It remains recommended as a remedy for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and there is no risk to the health of the expectant mother and baby. It is essential to avoid doing it yourself: it is always better to contact your doctor so that the doses, the administrations and the treatment time are clearly stated.
